Bow string with improved whipping thread wrap



y 0, 1969 R. N. HOFMEISTER 3,444,853

BOW STRING WITH IMPROVED WHIPPING THREAD WRAP Filed Aug. 24. 1966 5a //VVN7'0/? R0555 N Ham 151575? AZ'TORNEYS J United States Patent Int. Cl. F41b /00 U5. Ci. 124-30 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A whipping or serving thread is applied to a bow string to strengthen and reinforce it by wrapping the serving thread around the bow string in a first direction, turning the free end of the thread around in a loose 100p and forming a series of reverse, intermediate windings, with a portion of the free end of the thread lying along the bow string, then wrapping the loose looped portion around the bow string in said first direction over the portion of thread lying along the bow string. The free end of the thread is then drawn tight to pull the thread windings snugly against each other. This process is repeated to form an additional set of thread windings which are pulled tightly against the first thread wrapping in interlocking engagement therewith.

This invention is a continuation in part of my co-pending application entitled Bow String and Method of Preparing Same, S.N. 551,725, filed May 20, 1966 and since abandoned.

This invention relates to a bow string and more particularly relates to a method of preparing a bow string with whipping or serving thread.

Bow strings may be made from a single strand of material or from several strands of material with each strand having several filaments. The bow string is looped at each end so that it may be readily attached to a how. The serving thread secures and protects the bow string at the loop so that the bow string will not unravel. This is necessary whether the bow string is comprised of several strands or of a single strand. Additionally, the bow string includes serving thread wound about the bow string in the area which receives the notched portion of the arrow. This is done to group the several strands which may comprise the bow string to more readily receive the notched portion of the arrow, as well as to strengthen and protect the bow string from the abrasion created by the arrow notch on the string. The serving thread in this area also serves to prevent abrasion to the bow string caused by vibration of the string against the clothing or arm band of the archer.

Due to the vibration and consequent stress on the bow string, the serving thread may tend to unravel or cut into the bow string. Further, the serving thread must be so secured to the bow string that the bow string underneath the serving thread does not wear and break down internally. The serving thread must be of predetermined flexibility and must be wound about and secured to the bow string in such a way that unravelling, cutting, internal wear and external wear of the serving thread is minimized.

With these comments in mind it is to the elimination of these and other disadvantages to which the present invention is directed, along with the inclusion therein for other novel and desirable features.

An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved bow string and method of manufacture of simple and inexpensive construction and manufacturing steps.

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Another object of my invention is the provision of a method for wrapping and securing serving or whipping thread to a bow string to minimize the internal abrasion of the serving thread against the bow string.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of a method for securing serving thread to a bow string which serving thread, if it is injured, or becomes undone, can be repaired before the entire serving thread unravels.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a bow string, properly protected with serving thread which is secured to the bow string in such a way that the uniform tension necessary to the bow string is not impaired.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing the initial steps in wrapping serving or whipping thread on a bow string with windings separated for clarity.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing a subsequent step in securing serving thread to a bow string with windings separated for illustrative purposes.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing the position of the serving thread with respect to the bow string in still another subsequent step with the windings separated.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing a first step in wrapping second windings of serving thread to the bow string with the windings separated.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing a subsequent step in which second windings are secured to the bow string with the windings separated.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial perspective view indicating a final step in positively interlocking the first and second wrappings, and securing and locking the serving thread to the bow string. The windings are separated for clarity.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing the appearance of the serving thread completely secured to the bow string with the wrappings properly shown adjacent one another. I

One form of the present invention is shown in the drawings and is described herein.

Referring to FIG. 1, the bow string is indicated by numeral 10 and comprises several strands which are typically Dacron treated to impart uniform tension to the various strands. Of course, the bow string may comprise a single strand rather than several strands with filaments in each strand. The bow string 10 is looped at each end for attachment to a bow. At each end of the loops, as well as at the portions at which the loops join the longitudinal string portion, reinforcement and protection is necessary. Further, reinforcement is necessary at the notch receiving portion of the bow string. The reinforcement and protection is provided by a serving or Whipping thread which is securely wrapped about the bow string at the above mentioned stress points. The serving thread is typically comprised of a nylon thread of a special soft twist to provide the necessary flexibility. The serving thread must prepare the Dacron bow string in such a Way as to provide a flexible string with a hard abrasion resistant surface. The serving thread is indicated by numeral 11 in FIG. 1 and is wound about the bow string 10 in a first step. Of course, the serving thread may be applied in multiple strands as well as in the single strand shown here. The beginning step in securing the serving thread to the bow string in the manner of my method is done by wrapping a first portion 12 of the serving thread reversely along the bow string forming first intermediate wrappings 12a extending in a direction opposite that of thread wrapping 11. A first loop portion 13 with a predetermined amount of serving thread within the loop remains as shown partially surrounding wrappings 12a. A straight segment 12b of thread portion 12 is laid against bow string 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, the serving thread from loop portion 13 is wrapped about bow string in overlapping relation with respect to portion 12. forming first wrappings 13a. Since first intermediate wrappings 12a were reversely wound in relation to first wrappings 13a wrappings 12a are unwound as wrappings 13a are formed. Of course, the number of turns of wrappings 13a must correspond with the number of turns of intermediate wrappings 12a. A first extended thread portion 14 and a smaller 100p portion 15 comprised of the serving thread from loop 13 in FIG. 1, which was not wrapped about string 10 are now defined.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first extended thread portion 14, indicated in FIG. 2, is shown having been pulled through the first wrappings 13a, taking up loop 15, and providing a further extended serving thread portion indicated at 16. At the step shown in FIG. 3, the serving thread is now secure on bow string 10 preparatory to the next step which positively interlocks the serving thread with the first wrappings and securely locks the serving thread on the bow string.

Referring to FIG. 4, the extended thread portion 16 is reversely wrapped along string 10 forming second intermediate wrappings 16a and providing a second loop portion 17 which comprises a predetermined amount of serving thread within the loop and which partially surrounds wrappings 16a A straight segment 16b of thread portion 16 lies against bow string 10.

Referring to FIG. 5, the extended portion 16 is shown secure and laying snugly against the wrappings 13a. Additional, second wrappings 17a are formed from the serving thread in loop 17 (FIG. 4). Since second intermediate wrappings 16a were reversely wound in relation to second wrappings 17a, wrappings 16a are unwound as wrappings 17a are formed. The wrappings 17a are brought snugly against portion 16 defining a second extended serving thread portion 18 which projects between the windings 13a and the windings 1711. A loop 19 is also defined as the surplus portion of serving thread loop 17 which is not utilized in the windings 17a.

As shown in FIG. 6, the extended portion 18 is pulled through first windings 17a between second windings 13a and windings 17a, thereby positively interlocking said first and second windings and securely locking the serving thread about the bow string 10. The extended portion 18 may now be severed (at 20) immediately adjacent the windings 13a and 17a, providing a neat appearance of the serving thread on the bow string 10. It should be noted that the extended portion 18 extends slightly above wrappings 13a and 17a and is thereby snugly engaged at that point further preventing loosening of the serving thread.

FIG. 7 indicates the finished appearance of the serving thread as it is secured against bow string 10. As indicated in the drawings, portion 16 is shown overlapping the windings indicated by 13a. Windings 17a overlap portion 16b (as shown in FIG. 6) and end 20 on strand 18 is tightly engaged between windings 13a and 17a.

It will therefore be seen that I have provided a serving thread which may be wound about a bow string either manually or by machine. The construction provided by my method aids in preventing unravelling of the serving thread even when it becomes worn or frayed. The unravelling of the serving thread is a particular problem in that the bow string undergoes a tremendous stress when it is used, which stress is further complicated by the vibration of the bow string after the notched arrow leaves the string. It is this vibration as Well as nicks in the thread, which tends to unravel the serving thread, thereby exposing the Dacron bow string which is typically not abrasion resistant. The bow string provided by my securing method 4 provides a greatly improved bow string in that its reliability has been greatly increased. The construction gives a positive interlock between windings thereby securing the serving thread to the bow string even when the serving thread is damaged at either end or begins to unravel. Further, the bow string, secured by serving thread utilizing my method as described above, is not damaged internally from the serving thread, nor is it damaged externally at the point at which the bow string projects from the serving thread. This is a problem to an archer in that the serving thread results in a transverse wear point at the exact location of the bow string leaving the serving thread wrapping. My method of securing the serving thread to the bow string provides the necessary flexibility between the bow string and serving thread without unnecessarily abrading and cutting the bow string internally or at the point at which the bow string projects from the wrapping.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts of the bow string made by my method without departing from the scope of my invention.

It will, of course, be further understood that various changes may be made in the method and arrangement of my steps as well as the form and details of my method without departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is: 1. A method of wrapping a bow string with serving thread comprising the steps of:

wrapping serving thread about a bow string generally transversely with respect thereto in a first direction;

wrapping a portion of the serving thread reversely about the bow string in a direction opposite to said first direction thereby forming first intermediate wrappings, and a first loop portion; laying a first straight segment of said reversely directed thread portion against said bow string;

wrapping a part of said first loop portion over said straight segment of said thread portion in overlapping relation thereto in said first direction, thereby forming a plurality of first wrappings about said bow string, and simultaneously unwrapping said reversely laid intermediate wrappings, and defining a first extended thread portion projecting from said overlapping straight segment;

pulling said first extended portion through said first wrappings thereby eliminating said first loop portion, and snugly wrapping said serving thread on said bow string;

overlapping said first extended portion across said first wrappings;

wrapping said first extended portion of said serving thread reversely on said bow string from said first direction, thereby forming second intermediate wrappings and a second loop portion;

laying a second straight segment of said first extended portion against said bow string;

wrapping a part of said second loop portion over said second straight segment in overlapping relation thereto in said first direction, thereby unwrapping said second intermediate wrapping, forming a plurality of second wrappings about the bow string and defining a second extended thread portion projecting therefrom;

pulling said second extended portion through said second wrappings thereby eliminating said second loop portion and positively interlocking said second wrappings with said first wrappings, and tightly locking said serving thread on said bow string; and severing said second extended portion at a point substantially between said first and second wrappings.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said how string comprises a plurality of strands, each strand comprising several filaments.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said serving thread References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,758,587 8/1956 Verreau 12423 3,102,313 9/1963 Arneson 4344.83X

FOREIGN PATENTS 641,085 5/1962 Canada.

6 OTHER REFERENCES The Wise Fishermans Encyclopedia, 1951 Edition, edited by A. J. McClane, Wm. H. Wise & Co., Inc., New York, N.Y.; see page 638, FIG. 2, title Leaderknot.

Modern Archery by A. W. Lambert, A. S. Barnes & C0., New York, N.Y. (1932); see page 93.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

